Dancing

If there is a way to find raw, unapologetic passion displayed in public through a socially acceptable medium, it's in dancing.

And I do love dancing.

After moving to Ottawa, I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with many dancers and performers, and have made more friends on the dance floor than I could ever have made elsewhere. Making friends is easy out here. There is a sense of connection and intimacy with every good dance that is difficult to convey through verbal means.

As you walk to the floor with your newly found partner, you'd immediately notice the intimate distance you share, especially when it's someone you have not met before. Soon you'll find yourself comparing, guiding, and testing one another to the music; a few timid steps, a few couple of stumbles, you give an apologetic glance then move on. Don't interrupt the music.

As the song continues, the world dims, the surroundings fade away, social barriers disappear, and age difference forgotten. In that moment, there is only you, your partner, and the music. Every movement becomes calculated, precise, purposeful, and every turn and spin becomes a tease. You feel exhilarated, helped by the rush of adrenaline that comes with the intensity of the movements.

As the music fades, the crowd disperses; you have a smile in your face, and the music still in your head. Right before the music starts again, and the blur of motions return, you do the only thing that seems appropriate at the moment.

You introduce yourself.

Photo analysis:

These photos were taken at a rhumba demonstration in Rahim's Latin Fridays in Ottawa. My goal for the day is to capture the motion of the dancers, and show the energy in their movements. Unfortunately, social dancers, being creatures of the night, prefer a dark setting to perform their evening activities. This does not present the best lighting situation for photography (or the best anything, seeing that the subjects are all moving and blending into one another). Thankfully, the lights were turned back on during the performances, and I was able to snap a few pictures with my 50mm with the aperture set to the highest setting possible (f/1.8). I just hope I didn't disturb too many people rummaging amongst the audience trying to get a shot.